In today’s 55-minute telehealth session, the client shared their deepening anxiety about the current political climate and fear of what might happen in the upcoming election. They said, "I keep thinking we’re headed toward something really dark," expressing worry about the return of Trump to office and what that means for civil rights, global stability, and democracy as a whole. The client described compulsively checking the news and social media, often late at night, which leaves them feeling helpless and overwhelmed.
We explored how the constant influx of alarming headlines is contributing to a persistent sense of dread. The client talked about how fears of escalating international conflict, political violence, or authoritarianism are affecting their sleep, concentration, and general mood. They shared feeling alienated in conversations with family members who dismiss their concerns as overreactions, adding to their sense of isolation.
I normalized their distress as a valid response to political instability and emphasized the importance of regulating their information intake to avoid emotional overload. We discussed coping strategies for staying informed without becoming consumed, such as setting news boundaries and balancing engagement with restorative activities. I also encouraged them to reconnect with personal values—like fairness, safety, and justice—as a way to guide where and how they direct their energy.
For homework, the client agreed to track how their media consumption affects their mood and to experiment with limiting their news check-ins to set times each day. We’ll revisit next session to see if this helps reduce the intensity of their anxiety and explore further steps for building emotional resilience in uncertain times.
